June/July 2014

volume 10, issue 4

magazine

TM

june/july 2014

animal advocate chuck botts saltwater intoxication hyperbaric oxygen therapy ask the trainer: whining & jealousy

Holy Muttrimony southern brides and grooms celebrate their nuptials with furry family members

Publisher Leah England (843) 478-0266 leah@lowcountrydog.com

contents

Advertising Information (843) 284-3094 Communications Gillian Nicol gillian@lowcountrydog.com Guest Writer Kelly Rae Smith Accounting Carrie Clark Financial Services (843) 367-9969 carriecl@comcast.net Lowcountry Dog Magazine PO Box 22 Mt. Pleasant, SC 29465 Web: lowcountrydog.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/leahengland Facebook: facebook.com/lowcountrydog

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june/july 2014 animal advocate chuck botts 4 party animal 10 saltwater intoxication 10 This magazine is printed on 100% recycled paper.

holy muttrimony 14

Continue the green process by recycling this copy.

calendar of events 21 Lowcountry Dog’s mission is to be the leading local resource for dog owners regarding regional events, health and wellness information, trends, style and lifestyle choices. We also strive to be a mouthpiece to the public for various dog related non-profits and promote pet adoption and other responsible pet care practices.

Dog lovers can pick up the bimonthly magazine for free at most area veterinarians and pet stores throughout the lowcountry, as well as numerous restaurants, coffee bars and retailers. A full distribution list is posted to the magazine’s web site, lowcountrydog.com. Subscriptions are also available. Please call 843-478-0266 for more information.

training 22 Don't Worry He's Friendly health & wellness 24 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy adoption 28

The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted

by Lowcountry Dog Magazine with all rights reserved.

Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without permission of the publisher.

Lowcountry Dog Magazine does not endorse or guarantee any product, service, or vendor mentioned or pictured in this magazine in editorial or advertising space. Views expressed by authors or advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher.

Cover photo by Gayle Brooker. 1st Table of Content photo by Laura Olsen Imagery.

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Animal Advocate

TEXT BY KELLY RAE SMITH

PHOTOS BY LAURA OLSEN

Last month, Lowcountry Dog announced the first of four nominees for the Animal Advocate of the Year Award. This issue introduces readers to the second candidate for the honor: Chuck Botts, organizer of the annual Dorchester County “Paw”ker Run. When Botts is told that his “friend Bob” has written to us, he immediately guesses it was a certain long-time pal. “Bob Jones.

That was mighty nice of him,” Botts says.

Jones is inspired by the difference his friend has made in the lives of animals in Dorchester County for over a decade now.

This September, Botts will see to it that the “Paw”ker Run is a success for the eleventh year running. The annual 87-mile bike ride raises funds for the Francis R. Willis SPCA in Dorchester County, the sum of every year’s efforts beating that of the year before.

“Chuck Botts has found a way to combine his love of motorcycles and his love for animals,” Jones says. “For the past Jennifer and Salty.

Chuck Botts

10 years, Chuck has organized, promoted, and chaired the “Paw”ker Run. The first year, only 100 bikers participated because of inclement weather and the event only raised barely $1,000. In 2013, nearly 600 bikers raised over $26,000 for the abused, abandoned and neglected animals of Dorchester County.”

Over 10 years ago, Botts had been volunteering at the SPCA when he decided to use his previous experience with similar runs benefiting Friends of the Hunley to then raise money for the animal shelter.

He knew that the Dorchester animals could use a lot more love, and so he found a way to bring that to them while hundreds of fellow bikers rallied along with him.

As Botts recalls the story to Lowcountry Dog, he’s hanging out with his best friend Marley, a yellow lab who is presently chasing a squirrel. It’s obvious Botts has a big heart for animals.

“I’ve been married for 45 years, and we never did have kids, but I’ve been an

Top: Botts with his dog. Marley. Botts often volunteers at the shelter. Here he walks Charlie Brown, who is currently in search of his forever home.

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avid animal lover since as far as I can remember. I’ve always had dogs, but I love cats too. My favorite animal is labs. I’ve had labs probably the last 25 years.”

Botts talks about Wayne, the black lab he had for 18 years before he had to say goodbye. “That was a bad day,” he remembers. And then his voice is lighter when he talks about Marley. “She’s a little overweight but that’s my fault. It’s hard to say ‘no’ to those big, brown eyes. She’s smart as a whip. So smart it scares me sometimes.”

It’s his lifelong affection for these loving, intelligent creatures that inspires him to continue organizing the run every year, and he doesn’t just wing it. Months of planning and lots of legwork go into creating a special event that people get excited about year after year. Botts begins work for the September run in March with the help of volunteers from places like his employer, Kapstone Paper and Packaging. Together, they pinpoint the bars and businesses that will serve as one of the ten stops made during the near-100mile journey that always begins and ends at the Dorchester Shrine Club. One of the mandatory stops is the SPCA. Botts has also used prizes and poker 50/50 tickets to create not only a fun 6

Lowcountrydog

atmosphere but also even more means to support the shelter. Last year, he and his crew were able to round up prizes for highscoring bikers plus raffle prizes worth $100-150 that are given out at the end of the ride. Half of the 50/50 prize money goes to the winner and the other half, to the SPCA. “Botts recruits volunteers from his place of employment, his bike club, the SPCA and the Junior Service League of Summerville,” Jones says. “Prizes for the event range from T-shirts and hats to artwork to autographed NASCAR items to dinners at local restaurants. There were no sponsors the first couple of years. Botts realized the opportunity for additional funding and implemented sponsorships, and the number of sponsors has increased each year.”

It’s important to Botts to note that it’s not just him. He couldn’t do it without the volunteers. It’s also apparent in our conversation that he certainly doesn’t do it for any glory. It’s all about the furry ones. He says, “It’s the gratification that the money’s going to a good cause.”

This year’s “Paw”ker run is on September 13 and will depart at 11 a.m. from the Dorchester Shrine Club at 2150 Beech Hill Road, Summerville. You can

register that morning at 10 a.m. (if not before) for $20, which gets every person a free T-shirt and a goody bag full of cool stuff Botts and company rounded up, too.

Botts encourages anyone with any kind of wheels from Harleys to mopeds to pickup trucks to participate. Afterward, plaques, door prizes, and cash prizes will be awarded, plus a BBQ lunch can be had for $5. Live music will provided by the Double Nought Spies.

This is the first article in our series on Animal Advocates of the Lowcountry. After all nominees are featured, we will open online voting and one winner of the Animal Advocate of the Year will be recognized for their outstanding work.

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Party Animal

by Gray Moore

Nathan and Jennifer Williams included their rescue dog Harper in their wedding at dog-friendly Boone Hall. Photography by Kara Stovall Photography.

Do you want your pup to be part of your big day, but wonder about how best to include them in your festivities? There are several options you may not have considered. You can have them join you as part of your engagement or save the date photos, as a ring bearer, an escort for the flower girl, or greeter at the ceremony and reception. Hire a pet sitting professional who will bring your dog to the wedding and ensure everything runs smoothly. Your dog will have as much fun at your special event as you!

Tips for having a great experience with your dog for your wedding: First and foremost, hire a trained pet professional to handle your dog. Not only will this lift the burden off a family member or other wedding guest, but a professional will also ensure the safety and comfort of your pet. For peace of mind, your dog will be brought to the venue and taken home by the handler designated to care for your dog throughout the day.

Meet with your handler ahead of time to ensure a positive relationship between your dog and the person they will be spending the day with. Your handler should provide a free consultation and a written contract once details have been determined.

If you have not already, train your dog to sit on command, to walk calmly on a lead, and to refrain from jumping on people

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who approach them. This is essential to having a good experience. Your dog should be comfortable on leash and able to respond consistently to a “sit” command. This will ensure ease with photos and other responsibilities, and will also prevent them from jumping up on your dress or the clothing of other wedding guests.

Your handler should be able to arrange for walks with your pup prior to the big day to work on building these skills if necessary.

During the consultation with your handler, you should be able to determine if your dog will be able to handle the situation. After all, you do not want this to be a stressful situation for anyone involved. Be sure to arrange at least a brief visit for your pup to your wedding location prior to the big day. This will allow the dog to become comfortable with the sites and smells of the location and may help the dog to relax more on your actual wedding day.

Make sure the venue is pet friendly. Don’t be afraid to inquire about any options available. Most churches and some venues will not allow dogs inside, but can make other accommodations for your special day. Although your pup may not be allowed indoors, you may still be able to have a photography session outside. Always ask!

Arrange for a bath, or groom if needed, prior to the event. You will be looking your best and your dog should too!

If your dog is going to be a participant in the actual ceremony, do a test run. Have your handler bring the dog to the rehearsal so they familiarize themselves with their surroundings and what is expected of them.

Let your photographer know in advance. They should be aware that you will be having your pup in the photos and schedule those sets to be done first, before any others in that session. That way your dog’s part will be finished quickly and he can rest, get hydrated, and have a potty break instead of waiting for his turn. This ensures the continued safety and comfort of your dog.

Finally, have fun with it! Talk with your wedding planner or florist about a having a special collar or outfit made. Just as every wedding is different, your dog’s role can be customized to your big day. You can do anything from a flowered collar to pearls and a tutu! At minimum, have a good collar and leash that will compliment your wedding party’s attire for the photos. A nice leather collar and matching leash is always a classic choice that will ensure a timeless look.

At Dawg Tired, we are committed to the safety and well being of you pup, whether it is at a wedding venue, at our facility for boarding, or in your home. We are all Red Cross Pet CPR certified and members of Dog Gurus, an organization specializing in safe interactions between dogs and people, as well as between dogs. Brides & Grooms can trust that their pup will receive the best of care, above and beyond anyone else in the business. We are committed pet care professionals who understand that the couple’s dog is a beloved member of the family.

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Saltwater Intoxication Living the quintessential Charleston lifestyle for many families and their pets includes beach time, boats and swimming. The emergency team at Charleston Veterinary Referral Center sees cases of saltwater intoxication every summer, so Dr. Kristin Welch, head of our Emergency and Critical Care Department, wants to remind everyone about this danger to our pets.

Our ocean water has 3.5% dissolved salts, 90% of which is sodium chloride. That means for a typical Labrador Retriever, swallowing as little as 2-3 cups of saltwater could be toxic; less than 1 gallon of saltwater would be fatal. Once ingested, the salt is rapidly absorbed, resulting in symptoms within 30-60 minutes.

Salt is an irritant and early symptoms that should be a tipoff to saltwater intoxication are vomiting and diarrhea. As the salt concentration in the bloodstream increases, water is drawn out of cells, resulting in effective “dehydration” of the brain. There is a rapid progression to uncoordinated walking, abnormal mentation, seizures and coma. Rapid emergency intervention is necessary in all cases when saltwater intoxication is suspected, as many animals with severe salt intoxication don’t survive.

Once at the veterinarian, you should expect he/she will want to do an exam and blood work and for many

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pets, an IV catheter and fluids will be needed. Dogs that start having seizures will need immediate medications.

All dogs with saltwater intoxication are hospitalized for continuous IV fluid and regular monitoring of blood values for sodium chloride levels. The duration of hospitalization is case dependent but 5-7 days of hospitalization would not be uncommon. As the salt levels drop, the symptoms wane as well.

Prevention of saltwater intoxication is simple.

Always carry fresh water for your dog; for a day at the beach, bring 1 gallon of water (an empty milk jug works well) and a portable bowl. Make your dog take breaks from running and playing to lay down in the shade and have a drink to stay hydrated.

Dr. Kristin Welch, Head of Emergency and Critical Care at CVRC, is South Carolinas only board certified Critical Care specialist. CVRC is a specialty referral and 24-hour emergency and critical care veterinary hospital, which opened in March 2011. More information may be found at www.CharlestonVRC.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/CharlestonVRC or (843) 614-VETS (8387).

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by Teri Errico

rico r E i r e

By T

d n u o F m I o d w e or Ho egged Fre L r u o F It’s estimated that more than 47% of Americans are afraid of dogs. I have always been one of them, due in part to one bad encounter as a child as well as never being properly taught how to interact with dogs. In this two part series, I open up about suffering from such anxiety that I couldn’t even walk through parks that allowed pets to the gut wrenching decision I made after falling for a man with four big dogs.

People describe me in a number of colorful ways. I am a picky eater. I am obsessed with Tiffany blue and stars. And I am terrified of dogs. I have been terrified of them my entire life. The earliest I can trace it back to is age five, playing in front of my house when a stray German Shepherd came growling my way. I still remember going stone-still and screaming for my dad. He ran out, shooed it away and whisked me into the house. It was my first encounter with a dog and you know what they say about first impressions. Twenty-five years later I was still crippled with fear by that singular moment.

You could say in part it was because I wasn’t around dogs often as a child, and looking back that had a lot to do with it. In fact, as odd as it may be, I can’t recall a single childhood friend who had a canine companion, so never properly learning how to be around dogs played a huge part in my apprehension. Every growl sent a shiver down my back as I was unaware the noise could be good and bad. When dogs ran and jumped on me, I misunderstood and assumed they were attacking. People waved me off as ridiculous, and to me it was unfair. Cynophobia is a well-documented fear that has symptoms of anxiety when exposed to dogs, a feeling of dread when encountering them, or heart palpitations and excessive sweating, and is usually caused, in fact, by a negative encounter as a child.

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Almost as if my constant fear of being attacked brought it to fruition, at the age of 27 a friend’s dog charged at me one lazy Sunday while heading into her house for the umpteenth time.

My friend opened the door, her dog came to greet me, but before I even stepped into through the doorway, he snapped, lunged at me and sunk his teeth into my left bicep. I’d read the telltale signs of a dog about to attack: stiffened tail, drawn back ears, intense stare, tense body or, surprisingly, yawning. But there wasn’t time to observe any body language. It happened so instantaneously.

In hindsight, I wish I had taken more time to learn what to do if attacked so that I would have known, per the Humane Society, to remain motionless instead of flailing around as I had; feed him my purse, jacket or anything I could jam between us; curl into a ball and avoid screaming or rolling around, or most importantly, avoid eye contact. I was in such shock I didn’t even realize it was happening until my friend yanked the dog off of me.

I tore off my jacket, sweatshirt and long-sleeve shirt, and thanked the heavens it was a frigid winter day because without all those layers the bite would have been much worse. As it was, the dog’s eye teeth still punctured my bicep and blood dripped down my arm. I nearly fainted I was shaking so hard. I tried to sit and calm down, but I was too on edge, almost panicking. I actually believed the snarling dog, which was now locked in the basement, would break through the door and attack again. So I left and bee-lined to the emergency room.

In a surreal way, it was almost relief that I was attacked. Like I could stop holding my breath and finally shout, “See, I told you dogs were dangerous!” Almost 4.5 million people are bitten by dogs each year, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. One in five have injuries serious enough to require

medical attention and I was now one of them. If there was ever a chance I could grow to love four-legged fur monsters, it felt impossible after that.

From that day on, I lumped every dog into the category of that singular beast. If I had to head any place where there was a dog, I panicked and would spend the day mentally preparing myself. At times, I still begged out with random excuses. Like many with cynophobia, it increasingly became challenging to take part in routine activities if a dog was present, and it was embarrassing to admit the truth.

I was nearly 30 years old and afraid of everything from gangly Greyhounds to yippy Chihuahuas. And eventually, while sympathetic to my attack, everyone grew exasperated by me and felt I needed to get over it already. There was also an endless stream of patronizing claims they could “fix” me. “Just pet my dog. He’d never hurt anyone!” (That’s exactly what my friend said about her dog.) “All you have to do is put your hand in front of his nose continued on page 27

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Groom Rob McEwen gathers those closest to him, his new bride Annie and their beloved dog, Eloise. Photo by Gayle Brooker .

Holy Muttrimony southern brides and grooms celebrate their nuptials with furry family members

When Courtland and John McBroom's dog could not make the trip from Texas to the Lowcountry for the wedding ceremony , the mother of the groom surprised the couple with a life size topiary replica of the pooch, which presided over the guest book. Photo by Marni Rothschild.

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Elissa and Charlie Haynes included their dogs, Abita and Kodi, in their Save the Date photos. Photo by Fixed Focal Photography.

Abby adoringly looks upon beautiful bride Jen McCool.

Katie and Eric used their dog as ring bearer. Photo by Karyn Iserman

Becky and Adam Hess pose with their pup after the ceremony. Photo by Marni Rothschild.

Blondie celebrates with Rebecca & Yates Dew. Photo by Leigh Webber.

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Ansley and Derek Feussner share a moment with their dog Indigo outside a Charleston church. Photo by Marni Rothschild.

Derby poses with his Bride and Groom, Amanda & Garrett Griffin. Photo by Leigh Webber.

Rue the Labradoodle walks the aisle with the flower girl and ring bearer in Emily and Will's picturesque outdoor wedding. Photo by Karyn Iserman.

Nathan and Jennifer Williams were married at dog-friendly Boone Hall, so their dog Harper was able to enjoy the ceremony and the reception, where she was fed cupcakes by wedding guests - a far cry from her early life as a malnourished shelter pup.

Photo by Kara Stovall.

Henry cuddles Sally Hall. Photo by Leigh Webber.

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Jessie McCall walks her Westie, Olive, before the ceremony.

Photo by Jenna Marie.

Izzy gives Anne Marie Crosswell a kiss. Photo by Leigh Webber.

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happy hounds

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oscar

upcoming events recurring events

summer

every saturday & sunday pet helpers adoptions at petco, west ashley. www.pethelpers.org every saturday cas adopt-athon at petsmart mt pleasant. www.charlestonanimalsociety.org

Pet Helpers is up to Bat Challenged by the ASPCA to hit a home run!

Here at Pet Helpers, we love a good challenge! And when it comes to saving lives, we will rise to the occasion every time. We have always been in the business of saving the lives of homeless and abandoned animals. The reason is quite simple, really: every life matters.

We are pleased to announce that Pet Helpers is competing in the ASPCA Rachael Ray Challenge for a chance to win a variety of cash prizes. The grand prize is $100,000, and will be awarded to the organization that saves the most lives between June 1, 2014 and August 31, 2014. We need your help!

We cannot begin to describe to you what a difference $100,000 could make for the animals of Charleston and the Tri County area. This grant will fund lifesaving programs, such as providing additional spay/neuter surgeries and increasing innovative adoption programs. It could help us educate our community about pet overpopulation and the need to become a more humane community. And it would help us continue to provide our shelter animals the very best care while they await adoption into their forever

homes.

Our goal is simple: Pet Helpers wants to save an additional 500 lives this Summer. This means 1,000 dogs and cats, left by their owners and found wandering the streets, abandoned to fend for themselves, will be placed into new homes where they will get the tender loving care they so deserve.

One thing we know for certain is that we cannot achieve this goal alone. We must have the support of our entire community to make this happen. We come to you today to ask for your support at this critical time.

You can make a difference in the lives of these animals; please join our team as an Angel in the Outfield, and help us save 1,000 lives.

We are recruiting a team of Angels in the Outfield for the months of June, July, and August. These great supporters will be assigned to advocate one or more pets for adoption. An Angel can take on as many animals as they feel comfortable advocating, and their job is to share each animal's story, following it through adoption.

We encourage them to use any outlets possible- social media, events, print media (posters, postcards, etc).

We would like these individuals to consider making a contribution to fund the adoption fee for the animal(s) that they are assigned, but emphasis is placed on the sheer marketing of the animal. More than anything, we need our community supporters to do everything they are willing to do to help the animal(s) get adopted! Any interested person(s) can use the form at the following link to sign up: www. pethelpers100k.org/join-our-team. html

Contact: Anna Will Manager of Communications, Advocacy & Outreach. Email: awill@ pethelpers.com Phone: (843) 795-1110 x112 About the Challenge: The $100K Challenge is a contest in which 50 shelters across the country compete to break their own records saving the lives of animals. Throughout the months of June, July and August 2014, each competing shelter must save more dogs, cats, puppies and kittens than they did during the same three months in 2013.

For the past four years, the $100K Challenge has helped shelters across the country energize their teams, rally their communities and blast through their previous records for saving lives.

In the first year of the competition, competing shelters achieved an impressive increase of 7,362 more lives saved than same time/prior year. Since then, the numbers have been even better: 8,977 in 2011, 14,376 in 2012, and 12,050 in 2013. Increases for individual shelters range from a few animals to well over 1,000 more lives saved, with 40 shelters increasing lives saved by 300 or more in the last two contests.

In 2014, for the final year of the Challenge, 50 shelters will save even more lives, with winners earning $600,000 in prize grants, including a $100,000 grand prize for the shelter that increases lives saved the most.

Questions? Comments?

Call 843-478-0266.

Want to submit event information?

Visit www.lowcountrydog.com and click on Add an Event. We will do our best to include your event as space allows. Our online calendar lists all events in full.

Don't Worry, He's Friendly

By Kristie Allen

“Oh, don’t worry, he’s friendly”, shouts a dog parent as his charging, whining, dog drags him towards your dog, or even worse, his off-leash dog sprints towards your dog.

This is a recipe for disaster in many cases.

I’ll let you in on a little secret, many dogs do not want to meet dogs they don’t know, and there’s not a thing wrong with that.

It’s quite normal, especially after they have reached maturity. I believe they have the right to feel that way and we as dog parents have the job of ensuring our dogs feel safe.

Our culture doesn’t seem to grasp a realistic understanding of proper dog-dog greetings, especially for dogs that don’t know each other, do not have the same play style, and/or puppies vs adult dogs.

The notion that every dog should want to play with every other dog they meet (and forced to in some cases) is insane. An adult dog who snaps and barks at an adolescent puppy who rushes her is corrected by her parent and told to “be nice.” Unless taught what “be nice” means, which in my experience is hardly ever the case, the dog has no idea what that means. If forced to play with the rude stranger after she clearly communicated via body language that she didn’t want to, the next time she may escalate her communication, biting to get her point across.

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“ Animals can communicate quite well.

And they do. And generally speaking, they are ignored. ~Alice Walker” We would not abide what we expect our dogs to endure when it comes to meeting other dogs. Just as you wouldn’t enjoy a stranger running up to you and hugging you, a lot of dogs don’t enjoy or welcome an overly zealous greeting from another dog they don’t know. Quite frankly the same is true with people they don’t know, but for the sake of this article and staying on subject, we’ll stick to canine greetings.

So, as a society, why do we expect and sometimes even force our dogs to tolerate this type of interaction? I think part of the problem is that we interact with many dogs who seem to have never met a stranger and literally do love every other dog. To assume that all dogs have this personality however, is irresponsible, unrealistic and dangerous. Take the time to ask other dog parents how their dog feels about meeting dogs they don’t know.

We need to stop holding our dogs to such unrealistic expectations.

I have 5 ½ month old puppy who is by nature rude and obnoxious around other dogs. She goes crazy with excitement and loses all restraint. We have been and are still currently working on calming down

when she sees another dog. If she is calm, she gets to meet the other dog, if she is not, she the meeting is left for another time. I’m also teaching her that she doesn’t get to meet every dog she sees. As a young and impressionable puppy, the last thing I want is for her to be snapped at or bitten by another dog who doesn’t care for puppy antics. It would detrimental to her comfort level of other dogs if that were to happen and it’s my job to keep her safe as well as teach her.

What to remember about dogs: They do what works, are opportunistic and repeat behaviors that are rewarded. So if your puppy (or dog) goes crazy barking, whining and pulling you to get to another dog, and you let them meet the other dog, you have basically, albeit unintentionally, taught them that all those unwanted behaviors “work.” It also means the behavior was rewarded so your dog will repeat the behavior. If you teach your dog that calm behavior and a loose leash will get him that reward of meeting the other dog (provided the other dog is okay with meeting dogs they don’t know) then your dog will repeat that positive behavior.

Changing bad manners will not happen overnight, but if you are consistent, it won’t take as long as you may think. If you are not sure how to do this effectively

and consistently, look into taking a class with your dog or hiring a professional dog trainer who uses force free methods to help you. There’s no shame in seeking help.

If you have a dog that needs space and time meeting dogs they don’t know, speak up for your dog and tell the other doggie parent, to give your dog some space, or that you would rather the dogs not meet at all. Tie a yellow ribbon around our leash, which is becoming more and more known as the symbol for a dog that needs more distance between him and strangers (both the furry and human variety) Whether your dog is overly friendly and learning better manners, or unsure around other dogs and gaining more confidence, don’t focus only on what you don’t want them to do. Teach them what you do want them to do. Reward the behavior you like and want repeated.

Animal Antics, LLC is a company dedicated to providing products that are of the highest quality, made from all natural ingredients and are environmentally friendly. As well as services, that exceed expectations and deliver value.

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We view ourselves as ambassadors for a better planet; fostering compassion and respect in animal welfare and training, while understanding the science behind nutrition and animal behavior; our focus is on the health and wellness for all pets; to treat our customers with courtesy and gratitude, as well as, being partners in the community.

Animal Antics training philosophy is part of our holistic focus on good mental and physical health for pets.

Our cooperative approach teaches socialization skills, modifies problem behaviors, and is the basis for our entire training curriculum.

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Daniel Island Animal Hospital Lynne M. Flood, DVM Bridget Luke, DVM Allison Chappell, DVM Katie Rainwater, DVM Matthew J. Hosking, DVM

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Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Your Pets

By Peter Brofman, DVM, MS, ACVIM (Neurology & Internal Medicine) Veterinary Specialty Care, Mt. Pleasant, SC

As a veterinary neurosurgeon in Charleston, SC I am always looking for ways to help my patients recover from injuries to their brain and spinal cord. In the past year we have added hyperbaric oxygen therapy to the available therapies at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mt. Pleasant.

We are happy to be on the cutting edge of veterinary medicine and to be the only veterinary hospital in South Carolina to offer this treatment. Although hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is a relatively old therapy dating back to the 1800’s, it has recently seen a revival and expansion of its use to help both humans and animals with a multitude of diseases and injuries.

While HBOT use is most commonly known for its treatment of decompression sickness (aka “the bends”) experienced by SCUBA divers, it has also been shown to have a great benefit for many other conditions, including wound healing, postoperative pain and healing, and chronic pain.

Other conditions that may be responsive to HBOT include carbon monoxide poisoning, infectious and autoimmune diseases, brain/spinal trauma, strokes, snake bites, acetaminophen toxicity, soft tissue trauma, some forms of cancer, pancreatitis, chronic arthritis, and radiation therapy-induced injury.

The physics behind HBOT are too detailed to be discussed in this article.

In brief, the principles of HBOT are based upon how gases (oxygen) of different solubilities behave under changing pressures and volumes, and are governed

by Henry’s, Fick’s, and Boyle’s Laws of gas behavior. These laws dictate that 24

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increasing the pressure will result in a greater concentration of dissolved oxygen (Henry’s Law), increase the amount of gas that moves from one area of the body to another (Fick’s Law), and decrease the volume a gas fills (Boyle’s Law).

The primary gas we manipulate in HBOT is oxygen, which is essential to provide energy and support of all of our cells.

Injury or disease decreases the blood’s ability to move oxygen through the body, increases the body’s need for oxygen, and increases the distance that oxygen needs to travel to get from the blood to the tissue using it. When breathing normal air, the concentration of oxygen that makes it into the cells has been diluted down to about 1/4th of the concentration it was when it entered the lungs. In HBOT we increase the concentration of oxygen in the air breathed (from 21% to 100%) and increase the pressure (similar to diving below the water to about 60 feet deep), which increases the concentration of dissolved oxygen in the blood stream. In theory, HBOT could provide the body with enough dissolved oxygen in the plasma that a patient would not need red blood cells to carry oxygen and still live. In addition to increasing the body’s use of oxygen, HBOT also improves the immune system, has antibacterial effects, improves drug penetrations, decreases gas bubble and blood vessel size, and promotes new blood vessel formation into injured tissue.

CASE EXAMPLES 1.

Fred: Fred was diagnosed with a fever (105) and diskospondylitis (an infection of the disk space). Despite

appropriate antibiotic therapy the fever persisted for a week. Fred was then given HBOT and his fever resolved within 3 hours 2. Beezo: Beezo presented with pyothorax (bacterial infection around the lungs). Despite surgery and appropriate antibiotics, the fluid continued to build up around the lungs and the chest tubes could not be removed. After 1 week of unsuccessful treatment, HBOT was initiated and there was an immediate reduction in the amount of fluid around Tucker Daniel the lungs and the chest tubes were pulled out within 2 days.

3. Louise: Louise was diagnosed with a severe autoimmune encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and required large doses of prednisone and two different chemotherapy. After 1 ½ years of high dosages of these medications causing severe side effects we started HBOT. We were able to get her off of the prednisone and one of the chemotherapy drugs, and we are now tapering off the last drug.

Since stopping all of the medications she has recovered from all of the side effects and she and her owners are much happier!

4. Bubba: Bubba is a Bulldog who presented for surgery for upper airway commonly seen in brachycephalic (flat face) breeds. This surgery entails shortening the soft palate, removing membranes that block the wind pipe, and enlarging the nostrils. These dogs have difficulty breathing in normal conditions, and then have a high risk of difficulty breathing immediately postoperatively due to swelling. After Bubba’s surgery he

was having so much trouble that he was at risk of passing away, despite the more traditional treatment with steroids, a regular oxygen cage, and sedation. He was quickly placed in the HBOT tank and within 5-10 minutes of breathing 100% oxygen and decreased swelling from the increased tank pressure he fell asleep.

When he was removed from the tank he was breathing quietly and was very happy and relaxed. We have now started placing many brachycephalic patients in the HBOT tank post anesthesia, regardless of the surgery they are here for and have had great results.

5.

Spirit: Spirit was abandoned by her owner and was unable to stand due to severe vertigo from an infection of her brain. She had been treated elsewhere for a week with no improvement and the new foster owners were contemplating what to do next for her. We treated her with HBOT and the next day she stood up and walked on her own for the first time in weeks (see her story at http://vimeo.com/92411043).

6. Pearl: Pearl is a dachshund who had spinal surgery for a ruptured

disk in Raleigh, NC and was completely paralyzed. Her owner is a nurse in the oncology department at Duke University Hospital and had seen firsthand the benefits of HBOT in humans for many years. She drove Pearl down to our facility in Charleston for days so that she could receive HBOT to help her incision and her spinal cord heal. We are happy to say she is up and walking again!

7.

RJ: RJ is my own dog. She had a torn cruciate ligament and needed surgery to repair it. Following surgery I administered several HBOT sessions to help with the postoperative pain and healing. When she came out she was obviously less painful. HBOT has been shown to be as effective as aspirin in the management of arthritis in animals (Wilson, HD, et al. Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment Is Comparable to Acetylsalicylic Acid Treatment in an Animal Model of Arthritis The Journal of Pain, Vol 8, No 12 (December), 2007: pp 924-930).

8. Chico: Chico suffered from severe pancreatitis and had developed a pancreatic abscess. Despite surgery and

traditional management he would not eat and was very painful. After not eating for 5 days he was placed in HBOT and happily ate his first meal immediately after he was taken out and was able to go home the next day. In this case, the HBOT helped by reducing inflammation of the pancreas and reducing the gas build up in his intestinal tract.

9. Tango: Tango was bitten by a rattlesnake and had severe trauma to his face. Antivenin was not available at the time so he was administered HBOT. Following treatment the swelling was markedly improved and he was much more comfortable. We have treated many snake bite cases with HBOT alone and they do very well at a fraction of the cost of antivenin.

-If you have any questions regarding HBOT please feel free to contact Dr. Peter Brofman at peterbrofman@gmail.com, or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ drpeterbrofman

What’s Your Dog Doing Today?

Cageless Doggie Daycare Located within Pet Vet Animal Hospital

(843)884-7387 Dog Wranglers Kari Orga Shelley Kirby www.petvetsc.com

Veterinarians Dr. Brian King Dr. Gordon Luke Dr. Lara Allison facebook.com/zendogdaycare

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continued from page 13 and let him smell you.” (Why not just ask him to eat me alive?!) “You know what you need? Immersion therapy. Spend 24-hours with my dog and you’ll love it!” (Excuse me. I’m going to faint.)

In the summer of 2013, my unease over dogs caused a rift in my relationship.

Things were getting serious with the man I believed I’d someday marry—a man who had four big dogs at his mother’s house. Just as owning a pup was never in my future, having a pack of his own was never in question for him either. It was an endless, taxing conversation on both of us.

While he was supportive of my hesitation with dogs, he also didn’t think it was impossible to get over. And as happens in relationships, one of us would have to compromise. There were a lot of sleepless nights, wondering if I could ever get over it for him, and in a way, for myself.

A year later I’m still losing sleep. But that’s because my puppy loves cuddling with his favorite squeaky toy at night.

Yes, you read that right: I own a dog. I was the one who compromised. And I couldn’t be more in love with little Luke Bryan Skywalker. I never thought I’d get over my fear of dogs, let alone own one. But I did. I do. And what a long, long way I have come. To find out what happened and how I healed, check in next issue with Part 2 of my story, Four-Legged Freedom.

Looking for a new best friend?

Pet Helpers Adoption Events Every Weekend at from 12pm - 4pm

975 Savannah Highway, Charleston (843) 852-4563 wwww.petco.com

To find out more about Pet Helpers and the animals available for adoption go to www.pethelpers.org

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Meet General, a 5-year-old, male Akita mix! This gentle giant is as handsome as they come. General is inquisitive and independentalways happy to greet his favorite two-legged friends with a bear hug.

General would like to find a home as an only dog. Vist her at www. pethelpers.org

Meet Balto! He is a 2-year-old husky mix. His perfect day includes going on long walks and then spending time with his family on the couch! He has a kind and lovable personality and is a real sweetheart!. Balto would rather be an only pet and in a house with no small children. See if I am your match at www.pethlpers.org

This shy girl has come out of her shell and is ready to to give you her heart.

She loves to play, run, take walks, or just hang out by your side and watch a movie. She is a joy to watch and play with. If you are interested please contact cgumienny@ charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843329-1577.

Leo is a sweet little guy who enjoys going on walks and playing with toys.

He walks nicely on leash and is crate trained. Leo will bark if he hears any unusual noise, making him a great watch dog. Contact cgumienny@ charlestonanimalsociety.org if you are interested in adopting him.

Faith is a sweet girl with a really cute curlicue tail. She can be very affectionate to people and loves to go on walks but is a little picky about her doggy friends. If you are interested in adopting him, please visit www.summervillespca.org

Beau had an old injury of his elbow that was unable to heal or repair.

He was already walking on three legs so, the vets here decided it was best to amputate his front right leg.

He has made a full recovery and is looking for that special family to adopt him. Contact cgumienny@ charlestonanimalsociety.org or 843-329-1577.

Tanner is a very nice, somewhat shy dachshund. He is in a foster home because he was very frightened at the shelter. In his foster home he lives with another dachshund and a very large shepherd mix. If you are interested in Tanner contact 843991-8036 or email klongwallace@ gmail.com.

Hank is 2 years old. This boy is good with dogs, cats and kids. He is well mannered with solid house training, but prefers not to be crated. He is good on leash and is working on improving his other basic training.

Learn more at lowcountrylabrescue. org.

I’m Bixby and as you can see, I’m a big gorgeous fluffy guy, most likely a Flat Coated Retriever/Neufie mix!

I’m 9 years young and I have plenty of pep in my step. I’m a very good boy in the house. Learn more about me at www.daisysplace.org

I LOVE people, but I’m a Diva and need to be the only fur child. I finally found the most perfect forever mom and dad. Life was so good!

Sadly, mom went to heaven and dad couldn’t take care of me so I’m back in rescue and hoping to have another chance. Learn more at www.

I’m extremely well behaved, a perfect gentleman in the house, and I like hanging out with foster dad and just chillin’. Foster dad says that I’m a great companion and I’ll make someone very happy! I can’t wait to find my forever family. Learn more at www.daisysplace.org

Adoption Page

Meet Abbe Rose! She has a playful disposition, and gets along with everyone. Abbe Rose would rather be walked than left in a fence as she can jump fences. If your family needs a new playmate and couch warmer, then you might be the perfect match for Abbe Rose! Visit her at www. pethelpers.org

abbe rose

balto

leo

beau

hank

lily daisysplace.org

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general

hannah

faith

tanner

bixby

jonah

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.

~ Samuel Butler

EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semihuman. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog.

~ Edward Hoagland

If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life.

~Roger Caras

I've always said money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail.

~Kinky Friedman

We Offer:

• 3 Dog Parks • 2 Fishing Piers • 3 Lifeguarded Beaches • 3 Day Parks • 3 Waterparks • Equestrian Center • Interpretive Center • 12 Annual Festivals & Events

Upcoming Pet Events Yappy Hour James Island County Park May 15 . 4-8pm Pups, Yups & Food Trucks Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park May 22 . 5-8pm

843.795.4386 • CharlestonCountyParks.com

Ask the Trainer: Whining and Jealousy The Problem: How can I stop my dog from whining?! -Reba Kah The Solution: STOP WHINING, someone might yell when the dog is whining. But why should be the first question. Why and when is the dog whining?

Perhaps the cause is the desire to go outside to potty or play. Maybe the dog has learned this is how attention is gained – good or bad.

Perhaps he’s hurting or begging for food. Obviously, when the cause is determined the fix is easier. But let’s do a process of elimination.

Make sure the dog has had a veterinary examination based on his age, lifestyle and breed. If you see he’s whining when you touch him or he moves a certain way, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Make sure your dog is being fed the appropriate dog food to meet his age, lifestyle and breed. Make sure he is given proper exercise and attention from you. Make sure his collar is a properly adjusted buckle or snap collar.

If health reasons have been eliminated and the dog has been outside to eliminate, the problem could be he has trained you to get attention. My hound mix would whine for attention. This is common with dogs who have become attached to their owners or who have been rescued and are insecure.

First, know that yelling, yanking or anything that is forceful punishment to the dog, will not be helpful and may make matters worse. If this behavior has just begun, the fix is relative easy and quick. If the dog has a long history of whining, it will take longer to correct. Re-directing and focusing the dog with positive encouragement and training will help give the confidence needed to eliminate this behavior.

Help the dog avoid situations when and where he is whining.

Ignore his whines. Re-direct and focus the dog with positive encouragement and training. Teach calming behaviors.

Jill Lundgrin is a specialist with clicker training and owner of Coastal Canine Academy. Jill has worked with dogs more than 25 years in the dog arena of shows and competitive obedience while she attained her Associate Degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Medicine. She's an instructor for Pet CPR/First Aid. And an active member of the Charleston Dog Training Club. She was accepted into the internationally acclaimed Karen Pryor Academy for specialized clicker training. Learn more at coastalcanineacademy.com

The Problem: How should I work with a dog with jealousy issues?

I have encountered dogs that I work with at a local shelter that lash out at other dogs out of jealously when being petted by someone.

Also dogs that have been returned for issues wit small children. Brian J Foster The Solution: Brian, dogs that are competitive with other dogs need to learn behaviors that keep them focused on their handler, and that are incompatible with lunging at other dogs. Some helpful skills for them to learn would be looking immediately at their handler when their name is said, leave it, and sit stay. When beginning to work with these dogs, it should be with all the dogs leashed and the other dogs at least 10 feet away. The skills need to be practiced and heavily reinforced -- so that they'll be useful when the situation is at its most difficult. For these dogs, visiting the dog park is not helpful.

The owner will have no control of the environment, and therefore no control of their dog.

Dogs who have a healthy relationship with their owners are less likely to display this problem. Healthy relationships are those based on mutual respect, with the owner communicating clear expectations and providing guidance and structure.

Your second question has to do with jealousy and small children.

This question is more complex and the amount of risk involved potentially greater. Every dog who has issues with children needs to be individually evaluated, with a history carefully taken. The dog could be unsocialized to children, have had negative experiences with children, and/or have a poor relationship with his owner. A detailed history will determine the training plan, and whether or not the dog should be in a home with small children at all. Learning obedience skills can give the dog structure and clear expectations -- which reduce anxiety --and using methods that condition the dog to enjoy children can help as well.

Susan Marett has 14 years of full time dog training experience.

She has appeared on local radio show Pet Docs, the South Carolina Public Radio Business Review, and local TV Channels 4 and 5 to present training methods and answer questions on dog behavior.

Learn more at purelypositive.com